SIZABLE HARD COOLERS are rarely anything but cumbersome. The idea is to pack a lot of drinks and perishables (not to mention ice), and that requires some serious volume. But Coleman is on to something rather clever with its new Snap ‘N Go option, the world’s first foldable (or collapsible) hard cooler.
This cooler breaks down to a respectable size in just seconds, making it quite packable. Best, it does so as a bonafide hard cooler, with sturdy walls great for carrying that collapse with the pull of a cord.
There are subcategories like camping coolers and soft coolers you sling over your shoulder, but what’s nice about the Snap ‘N Go is that it pretty much tackles the entire spectrum. I grew up with big, heavy coolers and have learned to appreciate them for their durability, insulation, and ability to hold a ton of cans. But if efficiency is important to you, there is a better way and the Coleman release is proof. As an extremely mobile person, I find this cooler to be pretty close to ideal.
What I Like About the Snap ‘N Go Hard Cooler
Just like any hard cooler.
So many likable traits, so little time. The size options (35-, 45-, and 55-quart) are nice, finding that sweet spot between small and mobile and oversized (and perhaps needing wheels). The 45-quart option can handle 76 cans and I found it plenty big for involved backyard meals like crab and wine or large gatherings. The color options are nice, the handles are mighty, and the design is pretty slick overall.
During testing, I found that the 45-quart option was plenty big for backyard cookouts with friends or beach trips towing multiple meals. I also found it to be portable enough to take just about anywhere yet tough enough to stand up to the elements or abuse from sliding around in the back of a truck.
SHOP THE COLEMAN SNAP-N-GO
An On-the-Go Person’s Dream
The cooler comes with a foldable and waterproof liner that nests inside. While it seems somewhat fragile at first touch, it proved to hold up to the rigors of many, many outings. I learned to like it from a cleanliness standpoint as it keeps the cooler itself tidy and also prevents odors from sticking around. Nobody likes opening up a cooler and getting a whiff of what you had in there last time.
It’s easily the most portable hard cooler I’ve worked with given the smart snap-n-go approach. When folded down, the cooler becomes a third of its fully-assembled size and can easily tuck away on a shelf or under a bed. And it can stay that way thanks to dual latches.
There’s a substantial amount of depth to the cooler. It’s just about tall enough to handle upright 750-ml bottles (like wine) and that kind of volume is ideal not just for packing lots of stuff but also organizing as well.
SHOP THE COLEMAN SNAP-N-GO
Functional and Deceptively Rugged
The Snap-N-Go shrinks down to a third of its size.
When collapsed, the cooler is about the size of a camp stove. That’s a pretty intriguing feature for the many nomadic types out there, whether you’re a beach picnicker, camper, or traveling tailgater. You can practically throw the thing under your arm and carry it when it’s fully collapsed.
Who’s it for? Pretty much all types. This is made for the outdoors enthusiast, the tailgate champ, and the backyard griller. Because it is so portable, it’s even better for the traveler. Coolers can eat up valuable basement and garage space but that’s simply not an issue here. Keep it tucked away when not in use and when it comes time for the day on the boat, the weekend on the river with your fishing buddies, or an outdoor concert, bring it on out and snap it together in seconds. If space is tight, whether in your dwelling for storage or in your car for outings and road trips, this is your cooler.
SHOP THE COLEMAN SNAP-N-GO
Watch Out for
The cooler practically doubles as a chair, that’s how sturdy it is while assembled. You shouldn’t use it as a bench (which is a bit of a downside for a hard cooler). I never filled it to its alleged 200-pound limit, but it had no trouble carrying sizable loads of heavy objects like sparkling wine and stacks of grill-ready proteins.
You might think given how quickly (and easily) the cooler assembles and breaks down that there might be a risk of easily and unintentionally collapsing the thing but that’s not the case. Although the internal liner does need to dry and be kept separate, there could eventually be an issue with one of the sides fully clicking into place (though I haven’t experience this at all).
The cooler is also on the heavy side. Of course, it’s even more so when packed to the gills with drinks and ice but even alone, the mid-sized option comes in at a little over 16 pounds. That makes toting it even post-picnic when it’s empty and folded down still something of a task. Fortunately, the well-made handles make this process less of an issue. But that’s still a bit of a hinderance when it comes to a great portable cooler like the Hydro Flask Carryout Backpack.
There’s also no drain plug. This is not really a problem for the 35 and 45-quart options but when you get into 55-quart territory you begin to covet such a thing. It’s a large enough cooler that flipping it over to dump out is somewhat laborious. The RTIC 32-Qt Ultralight Cooler weighs less and has a drain plug (and has better ice retention).
In terms of insulation, I found that it did not preserve ice as long as, say, a Yeti Roadie cooler, but the retention was still decent. I filled the cooler one warm spring morning and let it sit on my deck in the sun for the day and found a few solid cubes floating around in it the next morning. The brand says around 55 hours of cooling power but I found that to be a bit of a stretch.
SHOP THE COLEMAN SNAP-N-GO
The Verdict
Plenty of holding capacity.
There are so many reasons to like this cooler, most noteworthy of which is the collapsible nature for easy storing and transporting (when not in use, obviously). While not the cheapest ($200-$240), it is a good value still given the functionality and sturdy build (not to mention a nice three-year warranty). The hybrid-ness makes it a real go-anywhere option. It’s become my favorite choice for everything from camping on the weekends to lugging signature cocktail supplies and dinner ingredients to a potluck.
The fact that the insulation is perhaps not the very best (but still good) is hardly an issue as the collapsible nature of the cooler makes it more of one you set up and breakdown for one outing anyway.
The pros greatly outweigh the cons with the Coleman Snap ‘N Go and I highly recommend getting your hands on one if you’re in need of something like it this summer. I’m planning to get rid of a few of my other mainstays to make room for this savvy cooler.
SHOP THE COLEMAN SNAP-N-GO
Better Insulation
More Portable
Hydro Flask Carryout Backpack 22 L
Easier to Drain
RTIC 32 Qt Ultra-Light Cooler
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Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon who covers food, drink, travel, culture, outdoors, gear, and tech. He’s formally trained in journalism but stumbled into the wine industry just when it was getting good and can’t seem to fully let it go. His outlets are many, from Men’s Health, Women’s Health, and The Manual to Vinepair, SevenFifty Daily, Sip Northwest, and others He’s a devout soccer fan and thinks about Iceland daily.
Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear and tech. Baseball, surfing, and camping occupied most of his time growing up. He also trained in martial arts for 12 years and holds a third degree black belt. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He is also a Certified Beer Server and previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.
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